Long-time Nevada resident, family man, and hospital executive James Oscarson currently serves as marketing director and ombudsman at Desert View Hospital in Pahrump.

As ombudsman, Oscarson is a neutral party who works to prevent and resolve disputes between the hospital and its patients when all other avenues have failed, a skill that will serve him well in elected office.

“My door is always open,” Oscarson said. “My primary job is to listen to the constituents in District 36 and act as their advocate on their behalf.”

Oscarson moved to Nevada in 1979 and has resided in Pahrump, Las Vegas and Logandale. He and his wife, Rebecca, have raised their three children and seven grandchildren in Nevada.

Prior to accepting his current position at Desert View Hospital, Oscarson worked for health care organizations Managed Care Consultants and Humana. He was also a nurse and owned a small business.

Oscarson previously served as President of the Nevada State Board of Podiatry for three years. With a strong background in health care, Oscarson will bring a fresh perspective to the legislature and protect quality health care for rural residents particularly in the youth and senior communities.

“Health care continues to be a major issue at the federal, state, and local levels,” Oscarson said. “One of my top priorities is ensuring that the rural residents in District 36 have access to quality, affordable health care.”

Oscarson also sits on the board for the Southern Nevada Immunization Coalition, the Nye Communities Coalition and is a committee chairman for the Career and Technical Committee for Pahrump Valley High School.

Oscarson envisions a bright future for Nye county and the surrounding region. “Through public-private partnerships, we can find creative ways to increase local access to quality services for the rural communities.”

District 36 includes Nye County, most of Lincoln County, and rural parts of Clark County. Oscarson will fill the seat vacated by Ed Goedhart (R-Pahrump), who is not seeking re-election in 2012.